Wildfire Hazard
Warm temperatures increase the wildfire hazard to HIGH for the Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area (WWMA).
Local Wildfires
August 13, 2015 at 11:00am
In the last 24 hours, there have been no new wildfires in the Whitecourt WMA. There is one wildfire in the WWMA:
- Whitecourt wildfire number 78 (legal land location: 12-27-61-10-W5) is located 21 kilometres north east of the town of Whitecourt; 18 kilometres east of Highway 32. The wildfire is under control at 0.08 hectares in size.
Since April 1, 2015 there have been 79 wildfires that have burned 68.89 hectares.
Provincial Wildfires
August 13, 2015 at 11:00am
There has been four new wildfires in the last 24 hours. Alberta currently has 52 wildfires; two wildfires are considered out of control, 10 are being held, 38 are under control and two have been turned over to the responsible party. One wildfire has been extinguished in the last 24 hours.
Since April 1, 2015, Alberta has recorded 1,606 wildfires that have burned a total of 487,247.12 hectares. For more information, please visit the wildfire status map on our website at www.wildfire.alberta.ca. Or you can download the Alberta Wildfire App for android or apple products.
Weather
The Whitecourt WMA will reach a high of 27 degrees Celsius today with the wind direction north west at 20 kilometres per hour. Light winds and cooler temperatures are expected in the next few days. Thunderstorm activity is expected to continue; meaning the risk of of lightning-started wildfires is high. Report wildfires by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
Under dry conditions, the litter layer (dead leaves and grass on the ground) including organic soils dry out and become combustible. A lightning strike or an improperly extinguished fire can come back to life.
When you are done with your campfire or burning, spread out remaining ash and un-burnt wood. Use your hand to feel for heat over the ash pile. If you see smoke or feel heat, the fire is still burning beneath the surface. Stir up and soak any remaining hot areas with water and stir up the ashes. Repeat until there is no heat.
Be Wildfire-Smart
Off-highway vehicles can start wildfires. Take the time to remove the buildup of grass, branches or other debris from your machine. This material can ignite, fall from your machine and start a wildfire. Areas of most concern include: exhaust and muffler systems, wheel wells, under the seat and in the engine and manifold systems. Learn more here.
Having a Campfire? Make sure your campfire is fully extinguished. A campfire can burn deep into the ground and flare up again in dry or windy weather. Soak the ashes and stir them. Keep soaking the ashes until they are cool to the touch. Even if you are going for a short hike, make sure your campfire is out. Learn more here.
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Fire Permits
BEFORE YOU BURN IT, GET YOUR PERMIT
If you want to do any burning, excluding campfires within the Forest Protection Area (FPA); you need to get a fire permit:
- Fire permits are free. To get the process started call 780-778-7272.
- Please call a week in advance of when you would like to burn in order to give our staff time to make arrangements to come out to your site and issue your permit.
- Fore efficiency, please have your site ready according to the burning site guidelines. before staff arrive. For your safety, a site visit is required in most cases.
- All permits must be completely extinguished before they expire, if you need more information make sure to ask.
Alberta Fire Bans
The Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area does not have a fire ban, restriction or advisory in place. This means in most parts of the Whitecourt WMA, safe campfires and burning are allowed at this time.
Other management areas within the Forest Protection Area (FPA) and some municipalities (including towns, summer villages, counties or provincial parks) have a fire advisory, restriction or ban in place. Please visit www.albertafirebans.ca to ensure that there is not a fire ban or restriction in your area before burning.
Unless conditions change, you can expect your next wildfire update August 14.
Shannon Stambaugh | Wildfire Information Officer
Whitecourt Wildfire Management Area
office: 780.778.7273 | mobile: 780.706.5336
